Westside
Unitarian
Universalist
Church
Love Unites - Caring Connects - Community Thrives
Justice & Generosity
To live our values to empower others, Westside partners with several local organizations that focus on justice, equity, and improving the lives of others.
The Bottom
The Bottom is a Black-owned, Black-centered community center in Knoxville. They offer art classes, podcast space, summer camps, a book store, and more. While not affiliated directly with Westside, we offer occasional financial support through our Justice & Generosity program, and as-needed support for their endeavors, including promotion of events and volunteer resources. We hope to continue to grow this relationship in the future.
Learn more about The Bottom at their website.
One of our members at a
Community
Appreciation
event at
The Bottom.
Current Generosity Project:
Family Promise
What a fantastic evening making a real difference with Family Promise! Our amazing Westside volunteers (some pictured here!) cooked, served, and even stayed overnight to support families experiencing homelessness. We're so proud of our long-standing partnership with Family Promise, an incredible organization keeping families together by utilizing local churches for week-long shelter. Mark your calendars – Westside will team up with First Farragut UMC and Family Promise again this August!
Bridging the Gap
To continue her vital work, she’s asking for donations of the following much-needed items. You can purchase these items and we will get them to Samantha. Or, use this link to purchase the items through Amazon and they'll be shipped right to the Sheriff's office.
Men’s medium underwear (new) – urgently needed
Socks – for both men and women
Leggings – various sizes
Men’s pants – sizes 32, 34, 36, and 38
Sweats – shirts and pants, all sizes are appreciated
Shampoo and conditioner
Hair brushes and combs
Deodorant
Toothpaste
T-shirts and hoodies
Shoes – all sizes and styles welcome
These simple items provide dignity and comfort to individuals as they take steps toward recovery and reintegration into society.
Samantha’s work reminds us that compassion, paired with action, changes lives.
Samantha Monday is a true lifeline for individuals working to rebuild their lives. As a Substance Case Manager with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Samantha tirelessly advocates for inmates struggling with addiction, crime, and challenging pasts. Whether she’s in court, on the phone, or making plans for housing, treatment, and mental health care, Samantha’s compassion and dedication provide hope to hundreds of people looking for a second chance. But Samantha cannot do this work alone. Many of those she helps lack access to basic necessities as they transition toward a healthier and more stable life.
Bridging the Gap Amazon Wish List
Click here to purchase items on the KCSO Inmate Re-Entry
Amazon Wishlist. Purchased items will be shipped directly to the KCSO office.
Food Bank Donations
We have a basket in our lobby for food donations. We drop those donations off at Farragut Christian Church’s food pantry.
If you'd like to donate, here are some of their most-needed items:
Hamburger Helper, tomato sauces, Vienna Sausage, canned Chef Boyardee products, raisin bran, corn flakes, oats. They do not need super large sizes of food packages.
Single regular boxes of any type of cereal (not large boxes or double boxes) are perfect.
Smaller jars of peanut butter, for example 16 oz or maybe a little larger
Jelly is popular: 16 oz or smaller size, or squeeze bottles if available,
16 and smaller sizes of mayonnaise,
Fruit is popular and appreciated.
no sardines.
And what ever regular sizes our congregation wants to donate!
To learn more about their Food Pantry, Visit their site.
Justice & Generosity Partners
This program focuses on developing long-term partnerships with worthwhile organizations in the Knoxville area. Not only do we contribute financially to these groups, we work with them to educate ourselves about the community needs they support and contribute our time and energy to helping them perform their missions.
This Quarter's Justice & Generosity Partner:
Knox Pride
We have chosen to help support Knox Pride as our Justice & Generosity Partner for this quarter.
Originally founded in 2006 as the East Tennessee Equality Council (Inc.), the organization has evolved beyond its annual celebration to become the Knox Pride Center. This expansion has allowed them to further their mission as educators, communicators, and representatives of the LGBTQIA+ community through their community outreach and facilitated events.
The Knox Pride Center serves as a central hub for individuals seeking connection and resources within the Knoxville LGBTQIA+ community and beyond. The center offers a variety of resources, referrals, and services. Additionally, it hosts events and meetings and provides space for other groups to gather in support of their causes. Since opening in October 2021, the center has become a place for individuals to learn about the queer community, access gender-affirming care and life skill support, utilize the food pantry, or shop at the Thriftique.
In addition to the center, the organization continues to host the annual Knox Pride Fest, an open celebration featuring music, entertainment, and speakers focused on promoting equality and inclusion for all. Throughout the festival weekend, vendors have the opportunity to share information about their organizations or businesses, offer items of interest, and engage with the community to promote inclusion and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies in Knoxville and surrounding areas. The Knox Pride Center also hosts a variety of other events throughout the year, with details available on their website's homepage.